tomar medicamentos
/tomaɾ medikamentos/from spelling rules
To take medicine in Spanish is tomar medicamentos.
This phrase is used when you are ingesting a drug or medication to treat an illness or a health condition. You can use la medicina or el medicamento to refer to medicine in general. For a more technical or formal way to express the act of taking medicine, you can use ingerir el medicamento.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific, singular medication that is currently being discussed, you should use the definite article el before the word, as in tomar el medicamento.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb llevar (to carry or to take someone somewhere) when you mean to ingest medicine. English speakers often mistakenly say llevar medicamentos, but you should use tomar instead.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American cultures, the phrase tomar el remedio is used metaphorically to describe taking a drastic or unpleasant measure to solve a non-medical problem.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase tomar algo can be an ambiguous invitation depending on the context. While it can mean taking medicine, it is more commonly used as a casual invitation to have a drink, often implying alcohol.
- While English uses the general term 'medication', Spanish speakers may use remedio, which literally means 'remedy'. This often implies a home remedy or a traditional cure rather than a pharmaceutical drug.
Examples in context
- Juan, por favor, no olvides tomar la medicina hoy.Juan, please don't forget to take your medicine today.
- Es importante seguir las instrucciones y ingerir el medicamento adecuado.It's important to follow the instructions and take the appropriate medication.
- No te olvides de tomar la medicina, ¡es importante para tu salud!Don't forget to take your medicine, it's important for your health!
- Antes de comer, tómate la pastilla que el médico te recetó.Before eating, take the pill the doctor prescribed for you.
- Debes tomar los medicamentos después de comer.You must take the medicines after eating.
- Debes tomar medicamentos para la gripe.You should take medicine for the flu.
- Es importante tomar medicamentos con comida.It is important to take medicine with food.
Example conversation
María is asking Javier about his recovery from a recent illness.
- María¿Ya estás mejor, Javier?Are you feeling better, Javier?
- JavierSí, pero tengo que tomar medicamentos cada ocho horas.Yes, but I have to take medicine every eight hours.
- MaríaEs bueno que sigas el tratamiento.It is good that you are following the treatment.
- JavierGracias, María, me siento mucho más fuerte.Thanks, María, I feel much stronger.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
